The case in favor for our local lands

Contributed by Wildsight e pandemic highlighted the many benefits of getting outside regularly and connecting with nature. e Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada underlined the need for us to deepen our understanding and knowledge of local Indigenous history, culture, language and land. e UN e Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently shared that “Education on climate change adaptation should be a lifelong learning process that equips learners with the needed practical knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to live in the new climate realities as well as socio-emotional resilience to face possible climate anxiety”. rough environmental education, non-profit organizations such as the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), Wildsight and dozens of other local groups work tirelessly to address all of these critical pieces, and more. is work supports the sustainability and resilience of our local communities, land, homes and planet. And the people of our region have responded by engaging in these programs and initiatives in record numbers.

Columbia Basin Trust has until recently said that “residents of all ages deserve opportunities to learn about the region they live in and be inspired to take care of it”. However, their current plan is to withdraw all support from all of these programs, initiatives and organizations as they have said that they have heard this is no longer a priority in this region.

If you think environmental education is still a priority we encourage you to have your voice heard at the upcoming community engagement sessions that Columbia Basin Trust has planned for your community, as well as through their online survey: https://future.ourtrust.org

CVRPI Advisory Committee member submissions for the Forster Landscape Unit

The Columbia Valley Recreation Planning Initiative (CVRPI) formerly CVRAMP, is asking for submissions of interest for new Advisory Committee (AC) members as they gear up to create a recreation plan recommendation for the Forster Landscape Unit. The AC is created from those with an interest, recreational or otherwise, in the area under consideration. AC members will provide detailed local knowledge of current use and its impacts to the CVRPI Planning Committee to assist them in producing a document of recommendations for consideration by provincial and first nation gover nments.

The CVRPI was formed as a result of a shared vision among diverse local recreational user groups, stewardship groups, local and provincial gover nment, and local First Nations to recommend resolutions for recreation management issues and support responsible and sustainable recreation on public land in the Columbia Valley

If you are interested in being a part of the advisory committee for the Forster area or would like to know more about the process, you can email info@ columbiavalleyrecreation.ca

Please submit by April 10, 2023

Andrew Young, MCIP, RPP Director of Public Works Operations Chief Administrative Officer columbiavalleyrecreation.ca

Angela MacLean, P Eng